The Repair Shop guest shares tragic reason for fix after being given months to live

The Repair Shop's Suzie and Steve Fletcher were tasked with restoring a cherished family heirloom on the latest episode of the BBC show. Guest Wendy Bray, brought in her late mother's old writing case, which held a lot of sentimental value.

Wendy shared fond memories of the item from her childhood, revealing that it was a gift from her grandparents to her mum when she left home at 17. However, the writing case had seen better days and was in need of some TLC.

While speaking to the experts, she also shared some fascinating history about her mum, who served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the war.

She said: "Her job was to take half-decoded messages trying to reverse what the Germans were sending through their enigma machines to find out what the message was."

Interestingly, Wendy revealed that her mother had signed the Official Secrets Act, meaning she couldn't discuss her wartime role until the late 1970s, reports the Express.

Reflecting on the significance of the writing case, she said: "Wendy added: "So much love has gone into that, so many letters home were written from that and it seems such a a shame that it's in this state now really."

When asked what she wanted from the restoration, Wendy hoped to see the case returned to its former glory, resembling how she remembers her mother using it, with the faded colour restored.

But there was an added urgency to the restoration as Wendy shared a poignant reason for wanting the case restored quickly, saying: "I want to give this to my daughter for my granddaughter.

"I need to do this fairly soon because I've got stage four cancer. So, although it's hard for me to believe, sitting here, probably as hard as it is for you to believe looking at me! I've only got about four or five months left.

"So, I want to do this, so that it's done for her. to be something that I've given my daughter to give to my granddaughter that reminds her not only of me but of her great-granny."

Suzie assured Wendy she'd give it all she had to get the writing case in its former condition. After Wendy had left the workroom, Suzie reflected on the significance of the item.

She said: "So Wendy has explained that she unfortunately has limited time that is something that I feel is very brave of her to tell us. With that, it gives me a huge responsibility."

The BBC expert then set to work, disassembling the writing case to rebuild and strengthen it.

After spending time in the workshop, it was time for Wendy to see what Suzie had accomplished with her mother's case.

Returning to collect the item with her daughter, she was astounded by the restoration. Wendy was deeply moved, particularly when she opened it up to see Suzie had placed blue paper inside.

Fighting back tears she exclaimed: "Oh that's so lovely! That's so lovely! Oh, what a sweet thing to do, that's really sweet because it always had blue paper in it!"

She expressed her gratitude to Suzie for her work, telling her she also restored memories, which are incredibly important to her.

The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.